The Hockey Nuts Podcast, Season 2, Episode 32 is live!

Coming up on this episode of the Hockey Nuts, Steve and I get you caught up with all of the news of the past week around the hockey world. Tragedy struck the hockey world this week as the NHL regular season drew to a close. The playoffs are now under way, and Steve and I discuss each series and make our round 1 predictions. We’ll have the details of all this plus the Minor League Hockey Minute, The NCAA hockey minute and our picks of the week.

Edmonton Oilers coach Todd McLellan and Calgary Flames coach Glen Gulutzan spending Sunday with the Humboldt Broncos, a junior hockey team in Saskatchewan that was involved in a deadly bus crash. McLellan and Gulutzan, who each have ties to the province, met with survivors and family members of the victims. They also attended a vigil for the 15 people who were killed when the team bus collided with a tractor-trailer Friday. There were 29 people on the Broncos bus; the other 14 were injured.

Alain Vigneault was fired as coach of the New York Rangers on Saturday after five seasons. The Rangers finished last in the Metropolitan Division (34-39-9) this season and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2009-10. The Rangers were 226-147-37 under Vigneault, who is third in wins and fourth in games in New York history. They were 31-30 in the playoffs; he is third all-time in playoff wins and games coached in Rangers history. New York reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, his first season, and got to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final in 2015. The Rangers lost in the Eastern Conference First Round in 2016 and in the second round last season.

Ken Holland has signed a two-year contract to return as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. Holland said he would address the future of coach Jeff Blashill on Tuesday. Blashill is 104-105-36 in his three seasons. In 21 seasons with Holland as GM, the Red Wings have won the Stanley Cup three times (1998, 2002, 2008) and the Presidents’ Trophy four times (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008), with 10 division titles. Last season, Detroit’s run of 25 consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs ended, and this season is the first time the Red Wings have not qualified for the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 1982 and 1983.

Antti Raantasigned a three-year contract with the Arizona Coyotes on Friday. No financial terms were disclosed. Cap Friendly: $4.25M/yr. The 28-year-old goaltender, in his first season with Arizona, could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers with center Derek Stepan for defenseman Tony DeAngeloand the No. 7 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft (center Lias Andersson) on June 23, Raanta is 21-16-6 this season in 46 games; his wins and games played are personal NHL highs. He missed 22 games because of injury. Raanta is tied for second in the NHL in save percentage (.930) and third in goals-against average (2.24) among goaltenders with at least 20 games this season. He has won six straight starts and is 9-1-0 in his past 10 games, allowing two or fewer goals in nine of them.

Joel Quenneville and Stan Bowman will remain coach and general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, respectively, next season, president John McDonough said Thursday. The Blackhawks (33-37-10) are last in the Central Division and will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2007-08. McDonough said he thinks Bowman and Quenneville are the right people to put the Blackhawks back on track after their worst season in a decade. Quenneville has won the Stanley Cup three times with the Blackhawks since he was named coach Oct. 16, 2008. His 884 NHL wins with the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche and Blackhawks are second all-time behind Scotty Bowman (1,244). Stan Bowman replaced Dale Tallon to become the ninth GM in Blackhawks history July 14, 2009.

Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, April 10, that the team has signed University of Minnesota-Duluth forward Karson Kuhlman to a two-year NHL contract worth an average annual value of $750,000. Kuhlman will join the Providence Bruins on an Amateur Tryout Agreement for the remainder of the 2017-18 season.

Vladimir Tarasenkohad reconstructive surgery Wednesday to repair a dislocated left shoulder. The 26-year-old St. Louis Blues forward will be re-evaluated at training camp in September, general manager Doug Armstrong said. Tarasenko scored 33 goals in 80 games, leading the Blues in goals for the fourth straight season, and was second with 66 points, four behind forward Brayden Schenn, who had 70 (28 goals, 42 assists). He was injured in a collision with Colorado Avalanche forward Gabriel Landeskog during the first period of St. Louis’ season-ending 5-2 loss on Saturday.

Marian Gaborikof the Ottawa Senators had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back Thursday. Gaborik, who has missed the past seven games, is expected to resume training in approximately eight weeks. Gaborik, who has 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in 46 games this season, has 815 points (407 goals, 408 assists) in 1,035 NHL games.

Florida Panthers defenseman Mike Mathesonhas been fined $2,000 as supplementary discipline under NHL Rule 64 (Diving/Embellishment), the National Hockey League announced Friday. NHL Rule 64 is designed to bring attention to and more seriously penalize players (and teams) who repeatedly dive and embellish in an attempt to draw penalties. Matheson was issued a Warning following an incident flagged by NHL Hockey Operations during NHL Game No. 647 against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 7. His second Citation, which triggered the $2,000 fine, was issued for an incident at 15:53 of the third period during NHL Game No. 1193 against the Ottawa Senators on March 29.

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Other Interesting Stories:

Canada’s Stanley Cup drought will end this season if the EA Sports NHL 18 playoff simulation is correct.According to the simulation, the Winnipeg Jets will be the last team standing and hoist the Stanley Cup come June, defeating the Boston Bruins in seven games. In a close series, the Jets win 4-2 in Game 7 to claim the first title in their history and become the first Canada-based team to win the Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. Forward Patrik Laine wins the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP with 24 points (15 goals, nine assists). The Vegas Golden Knights, making their first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance, advanced to the Western Conference Final after defeating the Los Angeles Kings in six games and the San Jose Sharks in seven before losing to the Jets in six. For what it’s worth, the EA simulation had the Nashville Predators defeating the Montreal Canadiens in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. The Predators ended up losing in six games to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the non-simulated Cup Final. https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-wins-stanley-cup-in-ea-sports-nhl-18-playoff-simulation/c-297863906

The 2017-18 National Hockey League regular season concluded Sunday with Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavidcapturing his second consecutive Art Ross Trophy as the League’s scoring champion, Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin claiming his seventh career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader and Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings winning his second career William M. Jennings Trophy as the goaltender who plays at least 25 games for the club allowing the fewest goals. McDavid finished the season with a League-leading 108 points (41-67-108) in 82 games, besting Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (34-68-102 in 82 GP) and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (39-61-100 in 80 GP) for his second straight Art Ross Trophy. Ovechkin scored a League-high 49 goals in 82 games, finishing ahead of Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (44 in 82 GP) and Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (43 in 82 GP) for his seventh career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (also 2007-08, 2008-09, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16). Quick saw the most action on a Kings team that allowed a League-low 203 goals, eight fewer than the Nashville Predators (211) and 11 clear of the Boston Bruins (214).

Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn, Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongoand Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending April 8. Benn led the NHL with seven goals, including a pair of hat tricks, and eight points in three games to power the Stars (42-32-8, 92 points) to a 2-1-0 week. Luongo went 3-0-0 with a 1.59 goals-against average and .955 save percentage in four appearances to help the Panthers (44-30-8, 96 points) become the 13th team in NHL history to earn five wins in seven days. Giroux ranked second in the NHL with 5-2-7 in three games to propel the Flyers (42-26-14, 98 points) to their eighth playoff berth in the past 11 seasons.

The Toronto Maple Leafs set a team record for points in a season at 105 with a 4-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre on Saturday. Toronto’s previous record was 103 points during the 2003-04 season. Frederik Andersen made 31 saves for the Maple Leafs (49-26-7) to win a team-record 38th game in a single season. Andersen had shared the record at 37 wins with Ed Belfour (2002-03) and Andrew Raycroft (2006-07).

Connor Hellebuyckgot his 44th win, setting an NHL record for most in a season by a United States-born goalie, and the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 at Bell MTS Place on Saturday. Hellebuyck passed Tom Barrasso (Pittsburgh Penguins, 1992-93), who played before shootouts were introduced in the NHL. Hellebuyck had four shootout wins this season.

Adam Gaudettewon the Hobey Baker Award on Friday, given annually to the player voted to be the best in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey. Gaudette, a 21-year-old junior, led the NCAA with 60 points (30 goals, 30 assists) in 38 games this season. He was named Hockey East Player of the Year, Hockey East Player of the Month for January and February, and MVP of the Beanpot tournament. He is the first player from Northeastern to win the award. Selected No. 149 in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Canucks, Gaudette signed a three-year, entry-level contract March 26. He has no points in four NHL games, including playing 13:04 in a 5-4 overtime win against the Arizona Coyotes in Vancouver on Thursday. Harvard University center Ryan Donato, who has five goals in 10 games with the Boston Bruins, and University of Denver center Henrik Borgstrom, who made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers on March 29, were the other finalists.

The NHL announced the creation of the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, which will recognize the commitment of those improving lives and strengthening communities through hockey. The award, unveiled Friday, will be presented at the 2018 NHL Awards in Las Vegas. The award will be presented to a person (not affiliated with the NHL or any of its clubs), team, league, rink or association who best utilizes hockey as a platform for participants to build character and develop important life skills for a more positive family experience. Starting May 1, nominees will be accepted on social media or via an online form (LINK: www.nhl.com/OReeAward ). A committee including O’Ree will choose six finalists before voting is opened to the public from May 15-30. The winner will be invited to take part in the NHL Awards.

One more. One more for Vancouver, for the Canucks. One more for the parents who raised them, Tommy and Tora; for the older brothers they idolized growing up, Peter and Stefan; for their wives and children and friends in the stands. One more for the fans, for the kids at BC Children’s Hospital, for everyone they had wanted to thank when they announced their retirement Monday. One more for Daniel and Henrik Sedin in their final home game. In overtime, on the power play, fans on their feet, Rogers Arena buzzing, Henrik sent a saucer pass from the right-wing corner to the point. At the end of a one-minute, 16-second shift, Daniel settled the puck on his blade and took a slap shot. The puck whizzed past Arizona Coyotes goaltender Darcy Kuemper at 2:33, the horn sounded, the arena roared and wow, what a moment. The Canucks won 4-3. For the second time Thursday night, Daniel scored a goal assisted by Henrik.

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